Sometimes making people laugh can be the hardest job in the world. One man’s chuckle can be another man’s chuck up. Chris Addison knows this only too well — now in his second year as compere at the Daily Telegraph Open Mic Award, the semi-final of which takes place at the Pleasance in May. He sees scores of young (and old) hopefuls go through their paces in an attempt to reach the national showdown at the Edinburgh Fringe..

Addison concedes to criticism of the whole practice of comedy contests: 'That’s the Achilles heel of this kind of competition, it’s entirely subjective,’ he admits. 'I remember seeing my Dad going nuts watching the Olympics, he really hated stuff like ice skating, not just because they’re obviously very, very dull, but also because its like, what criteria can you use to judge? You can set certain rules but in the end its a very subjective decision.’

Being a veteran of open mic competitions himself, Addison is acutely aware of the criteria needed to succeed on such a perilous platform. You have to ask, just what makes people funny? ’I think it is quite possible to watch a comic and think to yourself there’s something really bog standard about what their doing,’ says Addison. 'They're up there, telling you things but there’s something missing. Apart from obviously funny material, I think the best comedians have to have a real presence, a particular kind of charisma.’

This is highlighted with last year‘s winner, Mark Haynes: 'He just comes on stage and he’s so utterly full of charm. It’s either something you’ve got or you haven’t.’ He being just one of the many whose careers have been launched after appearing in the competition. Other previous entrants include Lee Mack, Noel Fielding and Paul Foot. By August there will no doubt be more names to add to that list. (Mark Robertson)